COMMITTEES

Senator AYRES (New South Wales—Minister for Industry and Innovation and Minister for Science) (18:43): I seek leave to move a motion to vary the membership of committees. Leave not granted. Senator AYRES: I seek leave to make a short one-minute statement about the Liberal Party's ambush in the Senate to strip members of the National Party from committee positions without their knowledge.

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Minister! You've sought leave. Let me at least ask if leave is granted before you launch into your statement.

Is leave granted? Leave is not granted. Senator Ayres: What a bunch of sooks!

The DEPUTY PRESIDENT: Minister, that's a bit unparliamentary.